BY: MAY GRECIA RAGO

WHILE many of the children her age were enjoying a happy and normal childhood, she had to suffer the ordeal of being victimized by sexual abuse.
Her early years were dark for her and her other sibling. Two of them, out of a brood of six, were molested by their own father, the man who was supposed to protect and take care of them.

But Lilia, not her real name, did not let her past shape her future. Instead, she chose to surpass expectations.
Very recently, Lilia graduated cum laude in a college in Iloilo City with a course of Bachelor of Science in Social Work.
It was in May 2011 when she, along with her mother and other siblings, was brought to the Regional Center for Women, one of the residential-based institutions being managed by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Field Office VI. Lilia was only 16 years old then.
According to Haydee Canilla, head of the RCW, the DSWD helped them in the legal aspect in partnership with the Provincial Prosecutor’s Office of the Department of Justice (DOJ). The father is still currently at large.
Inside the center, they were assisted to continue their schooling.
Their mother was taught with basic life skills, livelihood projects as well as housekeeping and tending for her children.
For two years, they were part of the center’s life—from New Year’s eve celebration to the next year’s Christmas.
It was in year 2013, when the DSWD staff in the center finally found a custodian for the eventual return of the family in the community. Her mom, along with her five siblings, were brought to their grandfather in Mindanao.
Lilia, however, remained in the center so that the government can continue to help her.

LESSONS
Asked of the messages that she wants to impart, she said, “Despite of your past, never lose hope and never give-up. Learn from your past. Even if you fall, just get back up. No matter how many times you fall.”
Lilia also said that each person should learn from life’s experiences.
“We should learn our lessons not just because we want to be successful but because we want to be better persons.”
SUPPORT
Aside from DSWD, Lilia also received financial aid for SOS Children’s Village and William Martirez, a benefactor, for her school fees.
Lilia is still under DSWD’s care until now and hopes to be one of the workforce of the agency in the near future.
“I will have to fulfill my commitment with SOS because they spent for my schooling. After that, I would love to serve the people through DSWD,” she said.

FAMILY
Lilia’s mother and siblings were entrusted to their grandfather in Mindanao where they have stayed for four years now.
Her mom now earns through the skills she was taught in the center. She gets income through cooking and massage.
Her older sister is studying Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. The other siblings have also continued their schooling.
On the day of graduation, her mom traveled all the way from Mindanao to Iloilo to celebrate the triumph of her daughter.

THE RCW
The RCW was established in year 2000 with the joint efforts of the Congressional Spouses Foundation Incorporated, DSWD, and the Local Government Unit.
Target clients of RCW are disadvantaged women and children who are victims of domestic violence; battered or physically abused; victims of illegal recruitment; victims of involuntary or forced prostitution, victims of illegal recruitment; and children who are victims of neglect and abandonment.
“We are implementing a holistic approach for the healing and recovery of our residents. These include livelihood trainings for them, conduct of counselling, and support of a psychologist and a nurse for them,” said Canilla./dswd6